Sharps Container

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a sharps container comprising a receptacle, wherein the receptacle having a floor and at least one wall and a side opening at one end of the receptacle, a sharps retention insert disposed in the receptacle for frictionally and releasably retaining sharps implements, a ridge disposed at one end of the sharps retention insert proximal to the side opening, wherein the ridge is higher than the sharps retention insert, a securement device adapted to releasably secure the container to a work surface, and a lid adapted to be secured to the receptacle, and to at least partially close the receptacle. According to one aspect of the present invention, the securement device comprises at least one magnetic element secured to an exterior surface of the receptacle, and may further comprises a ferromagnetic support tray that is secured to the work surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/236,315, which was filed on Aug. 24, 2009, whose disclosure isincorporated by reference in its entirety into the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for “sharps” used inmedical procedures, that is, sharp-tipped or sharp-edged implements suchas needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and the like. Such containers aretypically used by medical practitioners during medical procedures, tohold such “sharps” when they are not immediately being used.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

During medical or surgical procedures, it is known to place sharpsimplements in sharps holders when these implements are not immediatelyneeded, for example, after they have been used. An importantconsideration pertaining to the design of sharps holders is safety, andin particular, minimising the risk that medical practitioner willreceive injuries due to being pricked or cut by sharps implements.

A typical known sharps holder is in the form of a plastic box having ahinged lid, with a foam insert inside the box. Sharps implements can bestuck into the insert, to hold them in place when they are no longerneeded. Typically, an adhesive strip is located on the bottom of thesharps holder to secure it to a sterile drape that covers the proceduretray. The box itself is not secured directly to the procedure tray.

Normally, in surgical procedures, sharps implements such as discardedsurgical suture needles and scalpel blades, are discarded after use andare not re-used during the procedure. Therefore, it is usually notrequired to withdraw sharps implements from such foam inserts for thepurposes of such re-use. Such sharps holders are therefore generally notadapted to resist pulling forces that would be caused by removal ofsharps implements from the foam inserts. As they are secured to thedrape and not the tray or table underneath, the drape tends to pull awayfrom the tray or table when an attempt is made to withdraw the sharpsimplements.

However, in certain situations, for example, vascular access procedures,local anaesthesia, and many types of procedure performed byinterventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and physiciansperforming minimally invasive procedures outside traditional operatingrooms, sharps implements may be re-used during the procedure. They arethus commonly inserted into the foam inserts of the sharps holders andthen later withdrawn for such re-use during the procedure. In addition,at the conclusion of procedures, sharps implements are typicallyindividually withdrawn from the sharps holders for proper disposal. Thiswithdrawing of the sharps implements from the sharps holders typicallycauses a pulling force to be exerted. Conventional sharps holders aretypically only secured to the sterile drape and not the supportingprocedure tray or table, and are not particularly suitable for resistingthe pulling force. As a result, withdrawing sharps implements tend tolift the sterile drape off the tray or table, causing a tenting effectof the drape.

In addition, because the sharps holders are typically secured by theadhesive tapes to the sterile drapes, the drapes tend to be pulled up bythe lifting of the sharps holders when the sharps implements arewithdrawn. This often results in other items on the procedure tray, suchas containers of saline, radiographic contrast, or other liquids, beingtipped, or falling over, so that their contents are spilled.

To prevent this tenting effect of the sterile drape, medical staff maybe tempted to hold a sharps container down while withdrawing sharpsimplements. However, this requires that the staff member to place herhand close to the sharps implements which may be contaminated with bloodand other body fluids. This practice is potentially dangerous, becauseof the risk for an accidental cut or needle stick injury.

At the conclusion of the procedure, as an alternative to withdrawingeach sharps implement from the sharps holder for disposal, the entireholder can be carried to a disposal location. However, because of therisk of a splash or needle stick injury, doing so may also be extremelydangerous, because the lid cannot be closed and secured with the sharpsin it.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,005,590 (Eldridge et al), 5,195,538 (Eldridge et al),and 5,036,866 (Eldridge et al) disclose a retainer and method ofproducing a retainer which cooperates with either a magnetic surgicaldrape to hold instruments during surgical operations. The devicedescribed is a rectangular tray includes a wall which extends from theperiphery of a base portion. The polypropylene base portion is thermallybonded to a thermoplastic rubber retainer to sandwich magnetic elementstherebetween. The magnetic elements are magnetically attracted to amagnetic drape and thereby secure the retainer in any orientation withrespect to the drape. The tray is for collecting surgical instrumentsand not adapted for receiving and temporarily holding sharps, i.e., itdoes not have a portion where sharps can be inserted and stored. Needlesand other ferromagnetic sharps implements are placed on the floors ofthe trays, and are held in place by magnetic attraction. Theseimplements, and especially needles, generally lie flat on the floors ofthe trays. Because of the magnetic forces exerted on them, they areparticularly difficult to grasp. These trays are therefore not suitablefor temporary storage of sharps implements during medical procedures.They are also not appropriate for storing sharps implements in a safemanner, as the tips of such implements are left exposed, thus increasingthe risk of a needle-prick injury, or the like, occurring. The magneticsurgical drape the Eldridge devices are placed on is draped on thepatient, but is not secured. Therefore, the Eldridge devices similarlycan not resist an upward pulling force, and may be lifted off thepatient together with the magnetic drape.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,658 (Eldridge et al) describes a magnetized flexiblesheet that hold sharps implements in place. These implements lie flatagainst the surface of the sheet, attracted by magnets within the sheet,making it difficult to grasp them for further use.

A variation on this approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,109(Sandel), which discloses a container having a base, and a lid hinged tothe base. The container has a magnetic interior surface for holdingneedles, and can be opened out and laid flat to provide a workingsurface on both the base and lid surfaces. The side walls are shallow,and the container is disposable. Needles can lie flat on the surfaces,so as to be held in place by magnetic attraction by the interiorsurfaces. As a result, once again, such needles can be difficult tograsp for re-use during a procedure (although an embodiment of thiscontainer has shallow grooves or roughness on the surface to facilitate,to a limited extent, the grasping of the needles). In addition, whilesuch a container is intended for holding surgical suture needles thathave extremely low profiles, it is not intended for, nor could it beeffectively or safely used for, sharps implements such asvascular/hypodermic needles which, because of their hubs and thesyringes to which they may be attached, have much larger profiles. Sucha container may also be used for surgical scalpel blades that areremoved from their handles before being placed inside the container.However, scalpels used by interventional radiologists or cardiologists,and other practitioners, typically do not have removable blades andtherefore, unless they are in the form of safety blades, would have tobe placed together with their handles in the container. Once again, sucha scalpel/handle combination would have a high profile for which thecontainer in question would be unsuitable.

International (PCT) Patent Application having the publication number WO2005/102180 (Atrion Medical Products) describes surgical devices knownas “needle counters.” This application discloses such a device which hasfeatures in a container enabling the systematic arrangement of needles,to facilitate counting of the needles. This can assist in preventingneedles from being inadvertently left in a patient. Such a device has athin layer of adhesive or magnetic material within the container, forretaining needles flat against the bottom interior surface. A series ofshallow troughs facilitate the gripping of such needles to enable themto be picked up. A small, thin piece of resilient foam is provided onthe interior of the lid portion, where a needle may be temporarilylocated. Double-sided adhesive tape may be provided on an exteriorsurface of the base to assist in retaining it on a supporting surface.

Also known are needle-counter/container devices having foam inserts forholding needles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,326 (Sandel et al) discloses adevice which is adapted to enable sharps implements such as scalpels orsyringes to have their sharp or pointed ends embedded in a block of foamwhile these implements are positioned at a shallow angle. In addition,an interior surface of the device has a magnetic layer for retainingsharps implements such as needles so that they lie flat on a surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,609 (Spielmann et al) discloses a device which has abase having a magnetic interior surface and a lid with a magneticexterior. A foam block in the base is provided for retaining syringeneedles in a horizontal position with one side being free to facilitategrasping. However, this would not be suitable for retaining such sharpsimplements and preventing them from falling out of the device when it ismoved.

Needle counter devices are available from Covidien, Kendall division,under the “Devon” brand(http://www.kendall-ltp.coin/Kendall-LTP/pageBuilder.aspx?topicID=145338&breadcrumbs=143560:0,last accessed Aug. 23, 2010). These include a shallow container having abase and a lid, each with a magnetic surface and shallow foam materialinside each of the base and lid. There is an adhesive tab on an outsidesurface for securing the container to a work surface. Needles can bestuck into the foam to minimize risk of needle-stick injuries, but thefoam is too shallow to act as a suitable rest for the needles. Suchdevices have been adopted by many physicians and hospitals to functionas temporary “needle holders” and repositories prior to permanentdisposal—in particular for sharps implements such as large vascularaccess, biopsy and hypodermic needles, and scalpels. However, as aresult of their design, and as their name implies, these devices werenot designed for, and are not particularly suited to, this use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sharps holder that willavoid or reduce the disadvantages of previously known sharps holders, orthat provides a useful alternative, and which may be suitable for useduring procedures performed in locations other than in conventionaloperating rooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sharps container comprising areceptacle, wherein the receptacle having a floor and at least one wall,and a side opening at one end of the receptacle, a sharps retentioninsert disposed in the receptacle for frictionally and releasablyretaining sharps implements, a ridge disposed at one end of the sharpsretention insert proximal to the side opening, wherein the ridge ishigher than the sharps retention insert, a securement device adapted toreleasably secure the container to a work surface; and a lid adapted tobe secured to the receptacle, and to at least partially close thereceptacle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the securement deviceis a magnetic attachment device disposed on the receptacle formagnetically and releasably securing the container. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the magnetic attachment device comprises at leastone magnetic element attached to an exterior surface of the receptacle.In a further embodiment of the present invention, the magneticattachment device comprises a plurality of spaced-apart magnets.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the magneticattachment device further comprises a ferromagnetic support tray,wherein the receptacle is secured to the support tray, and the supporttray is secured directly to a work surface. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the support tray is configured to receive a surgicaldrape between the support tray and receptacle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the sharps retentioninsert extends across only a portion of the floor. According to anotheraspect of the present invention, the sharps retention insert is ofnon-coring foam material.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, at least one ofthe receptacle and the lid comprises a mechanism adapted for releasablysecuring the lid to the receptacle to retain the lid in the closedposition.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle comprisingwalls defining all but one side of the interior space, the side openingbeing at the one side.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the ridge isresiliently deformable. According to another aspect of the presentinvention, the ridge is of foam material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the receptacle is ofplastics material. According to another aspect of the present invention,the lid is of plastics material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the support tray issecured to the working surface through adhesive. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the adhesive is constituted by at least oneadhesive element bonded to an exterior surface of the ferromagneticsupport tray. In another embodiment of the present invention, the atleast one adhesive element comprising an adhesive strip.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the magneticattachment device comprising at least one ferromagnetic element attachedto an exterior surface of the receptacle, and a magnetic support trayhaving at least one magnetic element, wherein the support tray issecured directly to the work surface, and the support tray is configuredto receive a surgical drape between the support tray and receptacle.

The present invention also provides a method of supporting a sharpscontainer for use, the method comprising providing a sharps containersystem comprising a securement device comprising a ferromagnetic supporttray, placing the ferromagnetic support on a work surface so that theferromagnetic support is releasably secured to the work surface by theattachment device, draping a surgical drape over the ferromagneticsupport, and positioning the receptacle on the surgical drape such thatit is supported by the ferromagnetic support tray.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,the term “comprising” has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in thesense of “including at least” rather than the exclusive meaning in thesense of “consisting only of”. The same applies with correspondinggrammatical changes to other forms of the word such as “comprise”,“comprises” and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be discussed by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view, from the front and above, of a sharpscontainer according to an embodiment of the invention in an openedposition;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view, from the front and above, of a sharpscontainer according to an embodiment of the invention in an closedposition;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view, from the rear and below, of a sharpscontainer according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view, from the front and above, of the sharpscontainer according to an embodiment of the invention, illustratingexemplary sharp implements stuck to the sharps retention insert;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view, from the front and above, of the sharpscontainer of FIG. 2A in a partially closed position;

FIG. 2C is a cross section view of the sharps container of FIG. 2A in aclosed position;

FIG. 2D illustrates the sharps container of FIG. 2A in a closed positionbeing disposed in a sharps disposal container;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view, from the front and above, of aferromagnetic support tray according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view, from the rear and below, of theferromagnetic support tray of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view, from the front and above,illustrating a sharps contain system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention ready to be secured to a work surface; and

FIG. 4B is a perspective exploded view, from the front and above,illustrating the sharps contain system of FIG. 4A secured to a worksurface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The words “front” and “rear” refer to directions closer to and awayfrom, respectively, a medical practitioner operating a sharps containeraccording to the present invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a sharpscontainer comprising: a receptacle; a sharps retention insert disposedin the receptacle for frictionally and releasably retaining sharpsimplements that have been stuck into the retention insert; andsecurement device adapted to releasably secure the container to a worksurface when a surgical drape is disposed between the container and worksurface preventing direct contact between the container and worksurface.

In one embodiment, the securement device is a magnetic attachment devicedisposed on the receptacle for magnetically and releasably securing thecontainer to the work surface through the sterile drape. This particularembodiment can be releasably secured to a working surface made offerromagnetic materials. If the work surface is not ferromagnetic, ansupport tray comprising a ferromagnetic flat surface may be placed ontop of the working surface and facilitate the releasable securement ofthe sharps container. The sharps receptacle can then be secured to thesupport tray with the sterile drape interposed between the two. Thissupport tray may be secured directly to the working surface by means ofadhesive pads or strips. Alternatively, the support tray may be securedto the working surface using suction cups or other appropriate means. Inaddition, the support tray may comprise a weighted base.

In another embodiment, the securement device may be a first clipcomponent joined to the receptacle and adapted to interact with asecond, operationally complementary clip component on the work surfacefor releasably securing the container to the work surface when a portionof the surgical drape is disposed between the first and second clipcomponents thereby preventing contact between them. The secondoperationally complementary clip is secured directly to the tray/tableby means of adhesive pads or strips, or any other appropriate means.

In one embodiment, the sharps retention insert is resilientlydeformable. In this case, the sharps retention insert is preferably ofnon-coring foam material.

In one embodiment, the magnetic attachment device comprises at least onemagnetic element attached to an exterior surface of the receptacle.

In one embodiment, the magnetic attachment device comprises a pluralityof magnetic feet. Preferably, the receptacle comprises a substantiallyrectangular lower exterior surface, and a respective magnetic footadjacent each of the four corners of the lower exterior surface.

In one embodiment, the sharps container comprises a lid adapted to besecured to the receptacle, and to at least partially close thereceptacle. Preferably, the lid is attached to the receptacle by atleast one hinge, whereby the lid is rotatable relative to the receptaclebetween a closed position in which the lid at least partially closes thereceptacle, and an open position in which the lid extends away from thereceptacle. The lid is preferably adapted to extend laterally relativeto the receptacle when the lid is in the open position.

In one embodiment, at least one of the receptacle and the lid comprisesa catch means adapted for releasably securing the lid to the receptacleto retain the lid in the closed position.

In one embodiment, the receptacle has a floor which defines a bottom ofan interior space of the receptacle, and the sharps retention insertextends across a portion only of the floor with an adjacent portion ofthe floor being free of the sharps retention insert.

In one embodiment, when the lid is in the closed position, the containerhas a side opening. Preferably, the receptacle comprises walls definingall but one side of the interior space, the side opening being at theone side.

Preferably, the sharps retention insert is spaced from the side opening,with the adjacent portion of the floor being disposed between the sharpsretention insert and the side opening.

In one embodiment, the sharps container comprises a ridge extendingacross at least part of the adjacent portion of the floor, with theridge preferably being higher than the sharps retention insert. In apreferred embodiment, the ridge is resiliently deformable. In this case,the ridge is preferably of foam material.

In one embodiment, the ridge extends so as to divide the adjacentportion of the floor into two parts, one part being immediately adjacentthe sharps retention insert and the other part being spaced from thesharps retention insert by the one part and the ridge, and beingimmediately adjacent to the side opening.

In another embodiment, the ridge is placed adjacent to the retentioninsert and flush to the side opening.

In a preferred embodiment, when the lid is in the closed position, thelid and the sharps retention insert define a space between them.

The receptacle is preferably of plastics material, and the lid is alsopreferably of plastics material.

In one embodiment, the sharps retention insert is at least 1 inch (25.4mm) in thickness.

The present invention also provides a sharps container systemcomprising: a sharps container; and a ferromagnetic support forsupporting the container, the ferromagnetic support comprisingattachment device for releasably attaching the ferromagnetic support toa work surface.

In one embodiment, the attachment device comprises adhesive which isbonded to the ferromagnetic support. Preferably, the adhesive isconstituted by at least one adhesive element bonded to the ferromagneticsupport. Each adhesive element is preferably constituted by an adhesivestrip.

The invention further provides a method of supporting a sharps containerfor use, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sharpscontainer according to the first aspect of the invention; andpositioning the receptacle such that it is supported by and releasablysecured to the work surface.

In one embodiment, the step of positioning the receptacle comprisespositioning the receptacle on a surgical drape that has been draped onthe work surface. Preferably, the method comprises the step, prior tothe step of positioning the receptacle, of draping the surgical drape onthe work surface.

Additionally, the present invention provides a method of supporting asharps container for use, the method comprising: providing a sharpscontainer system according to the second aspect of the invention;placing the ferromagnetic support on a work surface so that theferromagnetic support is releasably secured to the work surface by theattachment device; and positioning the receptacle such that it issupported by the ferromagnetic support.

In one embodiment, the step of positioning the receptacle comprisespositioning the receptacle on a surgical drape that has been draped overthe ferromagnetic support. Preferably, the method comprises the step,after the step of placing the ferromagnetic support, and prior to thestep of positioning the receptacle, of draping the surgical drape overthe ferromagnetic support.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-C a sharpscontainer 10 which includes a receptacle 12 and a lid 14. The sharpscontainer 10 is preferably of plastics material such as polyethylene orpolypropylene, although in other embodiments it may be of metal, such asstainless steel, or aluminium, or combinations of such materials.

The receptacle has a rectangular floor, as well as a first side wall 18,a second side wall 20 and one rear wall 22 extending upwards fromrespective edges of the floor. It will be noted that, in this particularembodiment, there is no wall at the front 24 of the receptacle. Thefloor and walls 18, 20, 22 partly define the interior of the receptacle12.

In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 12 includes four feet 26extending downwards from the lower surface 28 of the floor. The feet 26are preferably positioned at the four corners of the receptacle 12. Eachfoot 26 has a recess 30 and includes a magnetic pad 32 in each recess.

Disposed in the receptacle 12 is an insert 34 preferably made of aresiliently compressible foam material. More preferably, the foammaterial is a non-coring, soft foam. In an embodiment, the sharpsretention insert 34 extends a portion of the floor of the receptacle. Ina particular embodiment, the sharps retention insert 34 extendsapproximately half of the surface area of the floor proximal to the rearwall 22, leaving a part of the floor free from the retention insert 34.The thickness of the insert 34 can vary from embodiment to embodimentdepending on the particular requirements. It is typically about 1 cmthick. The upper surface of the foam insert 34 is typically at a levelbelow the upper extremity of the receptacle 12.

Adjacent to, but spaced from, the insert 34, there is provided a ridge38. Preferably, the ridge 38 may be make a soft deformable material, asan example, within limitation, a soft foam. The ridge 38 may also be ofthe same resiliently compressible foam material as the insert 34. Itwill be noted that the ridge 38 is disposed between the insert 34 andthe front opening 24 of the receptacle 12. The ridge 38 extends from thefirst side wall 18 to the second side wall 20. In the embodiment shown,the ridge 38 is placed flush to the front opening 24 of the receptacle12. In another embodiment, the ridge may be placed at a distance fromthe front opening 24, so as to leave a space on either side of the ridge38. The top surface of the ridge 38 is slightly higher than the topsurface of the insert 34, as shown in FIG. 1A.

In the embodiment shown, the lid 14 has a top 50, as well as a firstside wall 52, a second side wall 54 and a rear wall 56, extendingdownwards from respective edges of the top. There is no wall at thefront side 54 of the lid 14, this front opening 54 of the lid 14corresponding to the front opening 24 of the receptacle 12 at whichthere is no receptacle wall. Accordingly, as will be discussed furtherbelow, when the lid 14 is in place on the receptacle 12, the front sides24 and 58 of the receptacle and lid, respectively, at which there are nowall, form an front opening into the container 10. Instead, the ridge 38of the receptacle 12, and alternatively ridges 38 and 58 of both thereceptacle 12 and the lid 14, respectively, occludes the front opening24 and 54, serving the functional equivalent of a front wall.

The lid 14 may also contain a ridge 58 at a position corresponding tothe ridge 38 of the receptacle 12. Preferably, the ridge 38 of thereceptacle is flush with the walls 18 20 22 of the receptacle 12, andthe ridge 58 of the lid 14 is flush with the walls 52 54 56 of the lid14. In this embodiment, when the lid 14 is closed on the receptacle 12,the ridge 58 of the lid and ridge 38 of the receptacle 12 essentiallyoccludes the side openings 24 38 of sharps container 10.

In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 12 comprises hinges 46 and 48 onthe exterior of its back wall 18. The lid 14 also comprisescorresponding hinges 66 and 68 on its rear wall 52. The receptacle 12and the lid may be pivotally connected via the hinges 46 48 66 68. Thereceptacle 12 comprises a locking mechanism 44, and the lid comprises acorresponding locking mechanism 64. In this example, the lockingmechanism 64 on the second side wall 18 of the lid 12 is a tab, whichengages the locking mechanism 44 on the front wall of the receptacle 12.When the lid 14 is closed on the receptacle 12, the hinges 46 48 66 68and the locking mechanism 44 64 secures the lid 14 to the receptacle 12.

The sharps container 10 is used to hold medical sharps when they are notbeing used by medical practitioners, such as doctors performingoperations or other medical or surgical procedures. Commonly, sharpsimplements such as syringes, needles, scalpels and so on, are put asideonce they have been used, for safe disposal. In some cases, however,they are put aside to await re-use during a procedure.

The sharps container 10 is placed for use on a work surface 70 such as atable or surgical tray, and the lid 14 is rotated to its open position,so that it extends laterally from the receptacle 12.

In medical or surgical environments, the work surfaces 70 are typicallycovered by sterile surgical drapes 72, and the sharps container 10 willtherefore typically be placed on top of such a drape. Where the worksurface 70 is ferromagnetic, the magnetic pads 32 will exert magneticattraction forces on the work surface, even via the drape 72, to securethe sharps container 10 to the work surface.

The sharps implements can be placed so that their sharp edges or pointedends penetrate the foam insert 34 in the receptacle 12, and so thatthese implements extend from such sharp edges or pointed ends, over theridge 38, and protrude beyond the open side 24 of the receptacle. Thisis illustrated in FIG. 2A where a syringe 75 is shown in such aposition, with an attached needle 76 of the syringe shown inserted intothe foam insert 34. By positioning the sharps implements in this manner,they can rest on the ridge 38 which assists in supporting them at anacute angle to the horizontal. The fact that the ridge 38 is slightlyhigher than the top of the foam insert 34 assists in keeping the needleof the syringe at a favourable downward angle for ease of insertion andwithdrawal. Also, the weight of the syringe 75 rests largely on theridge 38, which effectively prevents bending of the needle 76. Thedeformable material of the ridge 38 will also assist in securing thesharps devices for disposal once the lid has been closed.

Frictional forces between the sharp edges or pointed ends of the sharpsimplements and the foam insert 34 assist in retaining these edges orpoints in place.

When the sharps implements are placed in this manner, their sharp edgesor pointed ends are kept out of harm's way by being at least partlyembedded in the foam insert 34 and this assists in preventinginadvertent injuries, such as cuts and needle-pricks, to medical staff.

In addition, by being supported at such an angle, the ends of suchsharps implements opposite the ends that are inserted into the foaminsert 34 can be easily gripped. This allows the implements to be safelypicked up and withdrawn from the foam insert 34 either for re-use duringa procedure or for disposal, depending on the circumstances.

When such sharps implements are picked up and withdrawn from the foaminsert 34, the frictional engagement between the sharp edges or pointedends of such implements and the foam insert 34 causes a lifting force tobe exerted on the insert and hence on the container 10. However, wherethe work surface 70 on which the sharps container 10 is placed isferromagnetic, then as mentioned above, the magnetic pads 32 will securethe container to the work surface by magnetic attraction. Thus, despitesuch lifting forces being exerted on the container 10, the containershould remain in place on the work surface due to the securement by themagnetic pads 32.

When the sharps container 10 is in use, the lid 14 is typically in itsopen, lay-flat position. It thus provides a useful place to depositnon-sharps items or substances such as ultra-sound gel.

As mentioned above, the sharps implements can be placed with their sharpedges or pointed ends penetrating the foam insert 34 and so that theirother ends protrude beyond the side 24 of the receptacle 12. As thatside is an open side of the sharps container 10 as described above, thelid 14 can be moved into its closed position on the receptacle 12, evenwhen such sharps implements are extending in this matter. Indeed, evenwhen there are a number of sharps implements placed in the receptacle 10with their sharp edges or pointed ends inserted into the foam insert 34,the lid 14 can be moved to its closed position as shown in FIGS. 2B and2C. The nature of the ridge 38 being easily deformable assists insecuring sharps implements in place. In addition, together with thegreater height of the ridge 38 relative to the foam insert 34, alsominimises the chance that an inserted needle or other thin sharpsimplement will bend.

The non-coring nature of the foam minimises the chance that parts of thefoam will form a core which is retained within, for example, the hollowof a needle, which would most likely cause that core to be undesirablytorn from the remainder of the foam insert 34.

The compressibility of the insert 34 and ridge 38, by allowing sharpsimplements to be embedded therein, allows the receptacle 12 to be of alesser depth than would be the case if the insert and ridge were notcompressible. Indeed, the compressibility allows the lid 14 to be movedto its closed position on the receptacle 12 even when the sharpsimplements are protruding well above the height or length of thereceptacle 12.

In this case, when the lid 14 is moved to its closed position on thereceptacle 12, the lid presses down on these sharps implementsprotruding from the receptacle, thus causing the foam material of theridge 38, to be compressed. This results in the sharps implementseffectively being embedded between the lid 14 and ridge 38. The ridge 38thus deforms to match the contours of the sharps implements so thatthese implements are effectively partly cocooned by the ridge 38. Thiscocooning effect facilitates the secure holding of the sharps implements(FIG. 2C). The embodiment shown also comprises the optional ridge 58 inthe lid 14, which is made of similar deformable material as the ridge 38of the receptacle 12. When the lid 14 is in the closed position, theridges 38 and 58 together secure the sharps implements in place.

When the sharps container 10 is no longer needed, for example becausethere is no more space for additional sharps implements, or because asurgical procedure has been completed, the entire container can besafely disposed of with the sharps implements still inside it by movingthe lid 14 to its closed position and then carrying the whole containerto a safe-disposal location (FIG. 2D). The closed lid 14 then serves toprotect the person carrying the sharps container 10 by shielding thatperson from the sharp edges or pointed tips of the sharps implements inthe container.

The ridge 38 facilitates the safe enclosure of parts of the sharpsimplements in the sharps container 10 by effectively enabling theseimplements to be clamped in place between the lid 14 and the ridge 38 inthe receptacle 12, and more desirably between ridge 58 in the lid 14 andridge 38 in the receptacle 12.

In one alternative embodiment, the foam insert 34 is spaced from thefront open side of the sharps container 10 (constituted by the front 24of the receptacle 12 and the front 58 of the lid 14) serves to add asignificant aspect of safety to the container. This is because the sharpedges or pointed ends of the sharps implements are maintained well awayfrom that open front of the container 10, which minimises the chance ofcontact between such sharp edges or pointed ends and the person carryingthe closed container for disposal.

In the event that the work surface 70 on which the sharps container 10is to be placed for use is non-ferromagnetic, then it will beappreciated that the magnetic pads themselves 32 cannot be used tosecure the container directly to the work surface. In this event, asharps container system 80, as described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B,4A and 4B, can be used.

In the embodiment shown, the container system 80 includes the sharpscontainer 10 and a ferromagnetic support tray 82. The support tray 82may have a narrow plastic rim. The support tray 82 is sized so as toprotrude only slightly beyond the lateral extremities of the container10.

The support tray 82 has one or more suitably placed adhesive elements 84such as strips or pads on its under-surface 86, which enable the tray tobe adhered to the non-ferromagnetic work surface 70 on which the sharpscontainer 10 is to be supported. Microsuction adhesive may be used forthe adhesive elements 84 as with more conventional removable adhesives.The adhesive elements 84 may be cover by a protective sheet 85 beforeuse.

In use, the support tray 82 is secured to the work surface 70 by meansof the adhesive elements 84, and the sharps container 10 is placed onthe support tray. The magnetic elements 32 of the sharps container 10secure the container to the support tray 82, and, because the tray isadhered to the work surface 70, the container is effectively also thensecured to the work surface. The support tray 82 may be secured the worksurface 70 through any suitable means, which may include mechanicaldevices such suction cups, clips, or other locking mechanism. Inaddition, the support tray maybe weighted and have a high fictionmaterial, such as rubber attached to its under surface 86.

In one embodiment, the support tray 82 is provided with a raised rim 88.This can assist in retaining the sharps container 10 in place, and inpreventing it from sliding off the support tray 82, especially in theevent that the container is inadvertently knocked sideways.

In the event that a surgical drape 72 is to be used, then as illustratedin FIGS. 4A and 4B, the support tray 82 can be placed directly on thework surface 70 and bonded to it by the adhesive elements 84. The drape72 can then be extended over the support tray 82, with the sharpscontainer 10 placed on the drape. The magnetic attraction between themagnetic elements 32 and the support tray 82 acts via the drape 72 sothat the sharps container 10 can be effectively secured to the worksurface 70 even when a drape is used.

The adhesive elements 84 of the support tray 82 are preferably of such anature that they allow the tray to be detached from the work surface 70,for example to enable cleaning of the tray and surface.

Alternatively, the support tray 82 may be made from a magnetic material,i.e., the flat surface of the support tray 82 may contain one or moremagnets. The bottom of the receptacle 12 may be affixed with one or morepieces of ferromagnetic material. In this alternative embodiment, thesupport tray is affixed to the working surface 70 with adhesive or anyother suitable means, surgical drape is placed over the support tray,and the sharps container 10 is attracted to and secured to the supporttray 82.

In another embodiment of the invention, instead of having magnetic padsfor magnetically retaining the container 10 in place as described above,suitable clips can be used. The clips are adapted to engage withcomplementary clip formations provided on the work surface. In thisembodiment, when the container is placed on the work surface, theportions of the drape 72 adjacent to the clips is forced into the clipformations by the clips. The clips and clip formations can neverthelesseffectively engage each other with the portion of the drape disposed inbetween. Thus, the drape prevents undesirable contact between thecontainer and the receptacle, but does not prevent securement of thecontainer to the work surface.

In a case where the work surface is not provided with such clipformations, a support tray similar to the tray 82 can be used. In thiscase, there is no requirement that the support tray be of ferromagneticmaterial as the attachment to the container is not by magneticattraction. Rather, the support tray is provided with the clipformations. In all other respects, the support tray can be similar tothe tray 82 (including the manner in which it is attached to the worksurface).

Although the invention has been described above in relation to specificembodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that itis not limited to those particular embodiments but may be embodied inmany other forms.

For example, the foam insert 34 may be provided with suitable markingssuch as lines, numbers or letters, to assist medical practitioner ininserting sharps implements into the insert in desired positions ororders. One example is to have a series of suitably placed numbers onthe foam insert to assist in counting sharps implements to ensure thatall such implements that have been used are accounted for.

In addition, the sharps container 10 is preferably of a bright coloursuch as red so that it is easily noticeable by medical staff. In lightof the dangerous sharps implements that may be held in the container,the bright colour may be advantageous in encouraging caution by suchstaff when they are in proximity to the container.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofseveral embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have beendescribed in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled inthe art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limitedto the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, andillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope ofapplicants' general inventive concept.

1. A sharps container comprising: a receptacle, wherein the receptaclehaving a floor and at least one wall, and a front opening at one end ofthe receptacle; a sharps retention insert disposed in the receptacle forfrictionally and releasably retaining sharps implements; a ridgedisposed at one end of the sharps retention insert proximal to the frontopening, wherein the ridge is higher than the sharps retention insert; asecurement device adapted to releasably secure the container to a worksurface; and a lid adapted to be secured to the receptacle, and to atleast partially close the receptacle.
 2. The sharps container of claim1, wherein the securement device is a magnetic attachment devicedisposed on the receptacle for magnetically and releasably securing thecontainer.
 3. The sharps container of claim 2, wherein the magneticattachment device comprises at least one magnetic element attached to anexterior surface of the receptacle.
 4. The sharps container of claim 3,wherein the magnetic attachment device comprises a plurality ofspaced-apart magnets.
 5. The sharps container of claim 3, wherein themagnetic attachment device further comprising a ferromagnetic supporttray, wherein the receptacle is secured to the support tray, and thesupport tray is secured directly to a work surface.
 6. The sharpscontainer of claim 5, wherein the support tray is configured to receivea surgical drape between the support tray and receptacle.
 7. The sharpscontainer of claims 1, wherein the sharps retention insert extendsacross a portion of the floor.
 8. The sharps container of claim 1,wherein the sharps retention insert is of non-coring foam material. 9.The sharps container of claim 1, at least one of the receptacle and thelid comprises a mechanism adapted for releasably securing the lid to thereceptacle to retain the lid in the closed position.
 10. The sharpscontainer of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprising walls definingall but one side of the interior space, the front opening being at theone side.
 11. The sharps container of claim 1, wherein the ridge isresiliently deformable.
 12. The sharps container of claim 1, wherein theridge is of foam material.
 13. The sharps container of claims 1, whereinthe receptacle is of plastics material.
 14. The sharps container ofclaims 1, wherein the lid is of plastics material.
 15. The sharpscontainer system of claim 5, wherein the support tray is secured to theworking surface through adhesive.
 16. The sharps container system ofclaim 15, wherein the adhesive comprises microsuction adhesive.
 17. Thesharps container system of claim 15, wherein the adhesive is constitutedby at least one adhesive element bonded to an exterior surface of theferromagnetic support tray.
 18. The sharps container system of claim 17,wherein the at least one adhesive element comprising an adhesive strip.19. The sharps container of claim 2, wherein the magnetic attachmentdevice comprising: at least one ferromagnetic element attached to anexterior surface of the receptacle; and a magnetic support tray havingat least one magnetic element, wherein the support tray is secureddirectly to the work surface, and the support tray is configured toreceive a surgical drape between the support tray and receptacle.
 20. Amethod of supporting a sharps container for use, the method comprising:providing a sharps container according to claims 5; placing theferromagnetic support on a work surface so that the ferromagneticsupport is releasably secured to the work surface; draping a surgicaldrape over the ferromagnetic support and the work surface; andpositioning the receptacle on the surgical drape such that it issupported by the ferromagnetic support tray.